Media Releases

Member for Rodney Paul Weller said that the Murray River is gearing up for a boost to the local tourism industry with the Victorian Coalition Government’s announcement of $25,000 to support three cycling tours across the state, including the Tour of the Murray River.

Mr Weller was pleased that the Tour of the Murray River would travel through such towns as Nathalia, Echuca and Rochester and said that it would be a great boost to the local economy.

“The ‘Tour of the Murray’ cycling event will bring many visitors to our towns which is what we like to see. We will get the benefit of competitors, crew members and spectators all visiting during spring which is a time of the year when they can enjoy the Murray River and surrounds at its best,” said Mr Weller.

The Coalition Government’s funding support would be used to promote the cycling tours nationally through metro and regional newspapers, cycling websites and the CycleSport Victoria handbook.

The 2012 Tour of the Murray River is part of a three part series along with the Tour of Gippsland and the inaugural Tour of the Great South Coast, and will attract both interstate and international cyclists to Victoria along with large support crews.

All three events form part of the Scody Cup Series sanctioned by the Australian Cycling Federation under the National Road Series.

The Murray region is a terrific place to visit all year round and at the beginning of spring there’s no better time to visit the region and soak up all of the race atmosphere and enjoy all that is on offer on the iconic banks of the Murray river.

The 2012 Tour of the Murray River will be held from 2–9 September. The route is likely to take in Yarrawonga, Cobram, Numurkah, Nathalia, Echuca, Rochester, Moama, Barham, Kerang, Lake Boga, Robinvale, Euston, Balranald, Manangatang and Swan Hill.

 

The 2011 Tour of the Murray attracted 106 riders, of which approximately 64% were from interstate and 11% from overseas. Organisers estimated an additional 55 staff members and 150 support crew attended and the average length of stay in the region was nine nights.

The 2012 Tour of Gippsland will be held from 1- 5 August, followed by the 2012 Tour of the Great South Coast on 15 -19 August; and the 2012 Tour of the Murray River will kick off in spring on 2 - 9 September.

The Victorian Coalition Government will support this year’s Murray River Marathon with a $40,000 grant, Member for Rodney Paul Weller announced today.

The funding is from the $1 billion Regional Growth Fund’s Putting Locals First Program which is an initiative designed to assist regional communities deliver initiatives which support their local communities.

Mr Weller said the funding would assist the YMCA with planning and promotion of the 2011 race.

“The Murray River Marathon contributes more than $1.5 million to the local economy and is extremely important in promoting the river and the region as a tourist destination,” he said.

“It creates significant exposure for the Murray River and provides a major boost for our accommodation venues, local businesses and community organisations who all benefit from their involvement.”

Mr Weller said around 3000 people were involved in the marathon, including paddlers, support crew and event volunteers.

He said thousands of spectators would follow the paddlers over the gruelling 404km, five-day iconic event that travels from Yarrawonga to Swan Hill, passing through Tocumwal, Picnic Point, Echuca, Torrumbarry and Murrabit.

“This funding announcement is extremely significant for organisers and communities along the marathon route as it assists with the planning, organisation and promotion of the event.

“The marathon promotes an active, engaged lifestyle by encouraging people of all ages and abilities to take part and the government is delighted to get behind it.

“I encourage everyone to line the river banks as the paddlers pass by to show your support for this fantastic event and all those involved.”

The Murray River Marathon runs from December 27-31.

A new koala enclosure at Kyabram Fauna Park will be built with the help of a $15,880 Victorian Government grant announced today by Member for Rodney Paul Weller.

Mr Weller said Kyabram Fauna Park attracted up to 35,000 visitors every year and the new koala enclosure was expected to strengthen its role as one of the region’s key tourist attractions.

“Set on 55 hectares, the Kyabram Fauna Park is one of the largest wildlife parks in regional Victoria,” Mr Weller said.

“The park currently exhibits 700 Australian birds, mammals, reptiles and insects and boasts the largest display of native fauna and flora between Melbourne and Sydney.

“The park, which has exhibited koalas for 23 years, is proposing to build an interactive koala exhibit that will allow park visitors to have direct contact with the marsupials.

“The enclosure will allow the park to triple its koala population to six, including a breeding group of up to four who will be housed separately in the existing enclosure.”

The 40 square metre koala enclosure will include:

• 1.2-2 metre-high fencing and gate and a 3.5 metre high roof, covering 30 square metres and constructed of waterproof shade sails
• Landscaping, a new all-weather public path, native gardens along pathways and garden beds on the north and south sides to provide shelter from the weather
• Internal perches for the koalas, fine gravel flooring and interpretive materials.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional and Rural Development Peter Ryan said the project would deliver a number of benefits to the Kyabram Fauna Park and the region.

“The new koala enclosure will increase the range of quality attractions for the region and, as a result, attract more visitors to the park and the region,” Mr Ryan said.

“The enclosure will deliver economic benefits to Kyabram by encouraging visitors to stay in the region for longer, increasing overnight stays and creating more opportunities for retail and commercial businesses to attract additional business.”

Mr Ryan said Victorian Government funding for the Interactive Koala Enclosure project would be provided to the Department of Sustainability and Environment.

He said the project was expected to be completed by September 2012.

Kyabram’s popular bicycle and pedestrian trail will be extended thanks to a $300,000 funding injection today announced by the Coalition Government.

Representing Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional and Rural Development Peter Ryan, Member for Rodney Paul Weller said the Connecting Kyabram Project would establish a series of trails to encourage residents and visitors to explore the area.

“The Connecting Kyabram Project will implement stages two to five of the four-kilometre circuit outlined in the Kyabram Bicycle and Pedestrian Trail Strategy, which makes up a key priority in the Kyabram Community Plan,” Mr Weller said.

Mr Weller said the strategy detailed ways to improve Kyabram for walking, cycling and how to link infrastructure works in a way that would make Kyabram more attractive to tourists.

“Sections four and five along Lake Road will link the Fenaughty Street east–west bicycle path, Kyabram Fauna Park, shopping precinct, including Allan Street cafe culture and alfresco dining, and Kyabram Parklands Golf Course,” Mr Weller said.

“Sections two and three along South Boundary Road and Cooma Road will link sections four and five and those connected facilities with Grey Box Ironbark Reserve, Kyabram Botanical Garden development and provide a continuous link around the south-eastern town precinct to connect with section one.”

Mr Weller said the trails were expected to attract more than 1000 users per day and boost local tourism for the area.

Deputy Premier Mr Ryan said connecting Kyabram Fauna Park and Parklands Golf Course to the town centre would create a stronger critical mass of tourist drawcards for the town.

“The Coalition Government’s $300,000 funding for stages two to five of this project follows the Campaspe Shire Council’s $100,000 contribution for stage one,” Mr Ryan said.

“Funding has been provided though the Coalition Government’s Putting Locals First Program which is a component of the $1 billion Regional Growth Fund.

"The Regional Growth Fund reflects and embraces community and regional priorities as part of the Coalition Government's commitment to build a better future in regional and rural Victoria," Mr Ryan said.

The Murray Region, including Echuca, will be profiled by leading New Zealand media publications to highlight the region is open for business.

Member for Rodney Paul Weller said New Zealand media from leading newspapers such as the Otago Daily Times, Hawke’s Bay Today and Herald on Sunday had begun a four-day tour of the region as part of a Coalition Government sponsored international marketing campaign.

“The visit will raise the profile of towns including Echuca for the 500,000 readers of the New Zealand publications,” Mr Weller said.

“It’s no secret that our local tourism industry has experienced some difficult challenges in recent times and this visit will provide invaluable international exposure to our many wonderful sites and attractions.”

Mr Weller said the visit was part the Victorian Coalition Government’s $2.5 million Tourism Flood Recovery Program designed to encourage visitation to flood affected regions.

New Zealand is the largest single source market for international visitors to Victoria and the second in terms of expenditure behind China. For the year ending March 2011, New Zealand overnight visitors reached $333 million, representing year-on-year growth of 22 per cent.

“The Coalition Government understands the significant impact the floods have had on the regional tourism industry, both in terms of infrastructure and visitation,” Mr Weller said.

“That is why an additional $1.5 million of tourism floods relief funding was recently announced through the 2011-12 State Budget.”

The Heathcote Wine & Food Festival has received $5000 funding under the latest round of the Coalition Government’s Country Victoria Events Program (CVEP).

 

Nationals Member for Rodney Paul Weller said the festival showcased and celebrated the internationally renowned wines of the Heathcote region and was he was delighted funding had been allocated to the event.

 

“This festival celebrates all the grape growers and winemakers who have helped the Heathcote region forge a reputation as home to some of Australia’s finest wines,” Mr Weller said.

 

“This year the event will showcase more than 50 wineries and around 200 wines and will be supported with a delicious range of regional food and produce.”

 

The Heathcote Wine & Food Festival will be held on the weekend of October 8 & 9 this year.

 

Mr Weller said the $5000 funding would be provided to the festival committee to assist in event development.

 

“The Heathcote Wine & Food Festival is one of 24 regional organisations across Victoria to share in a total of $74,500 under the April 2011 round of CVEP,” he said.

 

“Regional events like this festival are supported because they not only demonstrate potential for increased economic benefit and visitation, but because they enhance the region’s particular tourism strengths and local community identity,”

 

The Country Victoria Events Program provides up to $10,000 per event to assist with tourism marketing and event delivery and development.

 

Funding through CVEP supports Victorian regional organisations delivering sports, music, visual arts, food and wine and multicultural events promoting regional communities throughout Victoria.

 

Closing dates for applications for the CVEP are April 1 and October 1 annually.

 

For more information on CVEP funding for 2011 visit www.visitvictoria.com.

Minister for Tourism & Major Projects and Minister for Innovation, Services & Small Business, the Hon Louise Asher, will be in Echuca and Kyabram, Tuesday 29^th March 2011.

 

Ms Asher will be accompanied by Nationals Member for Rodney Paul Weller.

 

The Minister’s visit is planned to illustrate the many tourism opportunities and events on the local calendar and generate the positive message that this region is well and truly open for tourism business.

 

The Minister will be at Echuca Airport at 10 am for media opportunities in a Mini Mustang antique aircraft to highlight the Echuca Air Show to be held on 3^rd April 2011, followed by a ride in a superclass racing boat to highlight the Club Marine Southern 80 to be held 15-17 April 2011.

 

The Minister will also visit the Kyabram Fauna Park, tour the Port of Echuca, and meet with key tourism and business leaders.

Victorian Tourism Minister, Louise Asher, will make a full day visit to Echuca next month.

 

Ms Asher has accepted an invitation from Nationals Member for Rodney, Paul Weller, to visit the city and inspect first hand the internationally applauded tourism attractions.

 

“It is very pleasing that the minister has responded so quickly and so enthusiastically to our invitation, and I am sure she will be given a warm welcome,” Mr Weller said.

 

He said the visit, set down for Tuesday, March 29, was particularly timely given the adverse publicity the city had received as a result of the recent flooding.

 

“It is important to get the message out that visitors to the region can still enjoy the complete range of tourism facilities.

 

“All of the riverboats are operating as normal, and all parks are open and fully functional,” Mr Weller said.

 

He said that Ms Asher would meet with representatives of the Campaspe Shire and Echuca Moama Tourism, and would also be involved in discussions with individual tourism operators.

 

“This government very much recognises what an important part Echuca plays in the state’s tourism market, and will be offering every possible support.

 

“Having the tourism minister here inspecting and endorsing our city as a key attraction sends out a very positive message,” Mr Weller said.